Compare and contrast Gatsby's social class with that of Tom and Daisy Buchanan. How does geography contribute to the definition of social class in The Great Gatsby?
Gatsby and Tom differ in social classes because Gatsby is seen as the “new” money while Tom on the other hand is seen as “old” money. In other words Gatsby is the new type of rich that evolves younger entrepreneurs and is looked down on by the “old” rich because they believe they are superior due to their classiness and superiority. Gatsby’s new rich persona is perceived by Tom as disrespectful because Gatsby’s party life and extravagance metaphorically slaps Tom in the face because of his unknown secretiveness and probably annoyance from the competitive character he displays. For instance Gatsby lives in East Egg which is more classy and home to many larger homes and is seen as nicer than West Egg. West Egg is where Tom lives and is less fashionable with large vacation homes for rent showing its decline in status making Tom more hostile towards Gatsby’s way of life.
Why did Nick become involved with Jordan, and why did he break off the relationship?
In reality, Nick was only dishonest in that he spent as much time with Jordan as he did. He knew from their first meeting what kind of girl she was and that their relationship could not last. He used her for excitement just as she used him for a different experience. That's the only way though that Nick and Jordan are alike. Jordan is like Daisy and Tom; a careless person who goes through her life using people to her advantage and then moving on. She likes Nick because he pays attention to her. In reality, Nick was only dishonest in that he spent as much time with Jordan as he did. He knew from their first meeting what kind of girl she was and that their relationship could not last. He used her for excitement just as she used him for a different experience. That's the only way though that Nick and Jordan are alike.
The Jazz Age
The Jazz Age was a term coined by Fitzgerald himself and his novel illustrates this period in American History beautifully. With a booming economy and the commencement of the war to end all wars what were Americans to do but celebrate? Old fashioned values like the ones Nick brings in from the middle west are being abandoned for the fast paced life of an east coast socialite or a flapper just looking for a good time. The 18th amendment made alcohol illegal but this did nothing to slow down the liberated generation of the 1920s. Speakeasies dominated the club scene where young men and women could go and drink in the secrecy of restaurant basements. The 19th amendment made women equal to their male counterparts in the eyes of the law and they began to express themselves in that manner.
All of these factors are summed by Jay Gatsby’s unmatched lavishness and luxuriousness. Gatsby’s parties are the epitome of Jazz Age shenanigans. Fitzgerald does not come up short with his snapshot of this unique period in American history.
What made Gatsby Great?
An obvious answer would be that Gatsby is “great” for his extravagance and wealth, his fame and mystery. Gatsby, however, is “great” for something much less tangible than a Rolls Royce and a West Egg mansion. Gatsby’s devotion and perseverance towards obtaining Daisy’s affection makes him more than just “great”. When Gatsby was a young man he met a girl whom he could never hope to match in both beauty and undying intrigue. She came from a family of wealth and Gatsby knew he must obtain such assets to even begin to woo her once again. His work ethic to get her attention was truly “great.” Whether it was the persistent stalking through the papers or his lavish parties that seemed to neither begin nor end, he was always working to become closer to Daisy. When finally his golden opportunity to meet Daisy, Nick, moved in next door he took his opportunity. His ability to captivate Daisy in such a short period of time was nothing short of magnificent. Men should envy Gatsby’s swagger around Daisy, he was able to bring a cool and composed woman to tears within just hours of reuniting with her. Gatsby’s passion and vigor brought out by Daisy is truly “great.”
1. What is the American Dream? How does Gatsby represent this dream? Does the novel praise or condemn Gatsby's dream? Has the American dream changed since Gatsby's time?
It seems as if the “American Dream” has been a reoccurring theme in this semesters lesson plan. Maybe it is the fact that you are trying to get us to find ourselves before we are shipped off to college. Maybe you are trying to get across the point that the “American Dream” is an unobtainable image as it differs through the eyes of every person, or maybe I am just over thinking this and the “American Dream” is simply a robotic lesson plan spit out by some exquisite literature genius who was given the task of compiling the curriculum for all American Literature classes.
Regardless of the importance of the “American Dream” in this class it is still a pressing issue. James Truslow Adams coined the term “American Dream” in his book Epic of America. In his book Adams states that, “The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement...It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position”. By this Adams is saying that the “American Dream” is a successful life based on ones hard work and prosperity along with recognition for their hard work.
In my opinion the “American Dream” differs for every person because in America, where our ALMOST purely capitalistic economy combined with our unique form of democracy, anything is possible. For me the “American Dream” is to become successful and work in a field in which I enjoy working. As for most of the population it is safe to say that becoming rich, powerful, and famous is all part of their “American Dream”. Gatsby is the epitome of this stereotypical American dreamer. He is very rich, highly recognized (to both men and women) and holds an authoritative personality which empowers him to manipulate people. For example on page 67 in The Great Gatsby, Gatsby manipulates Nick by telling him that he will find out what happened to him at tea with Jordan. Gatsby had taken what was supposed to be a date and turned it into a discussion about him in order to keep his name floating around the city and to know that he was always being talked about.
Although Gatsby is seen as a successful man, he represents the decline of the American dream of the early 1900’s as it fell from men trying to obtain valor and noble goals to ungoverned need for money and empty pursuit of pleasure. Fitzgerald uses Gatsby to show that the unmoralized goals of these people ultimately led to destruction. Nowadays I feel as though the “American Dream” has shifted for the better. People are making more unselfish goals. Don’t get me wrong the “live for me and only me” American dreamers have not died out it’s just that more organizations have popped up that are looking to better the community and people who do succeed are giving back. For example Bill Gates is using his resources to get computers into underprivileged school districts and the Red Cross Foundation looks to aid when countries are in need.
8.Discuss Fitzgerald's use of symbols, such as the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg, the green light on Daisy's dock, and the valley of ashes
The Valley of Ashes The valley of ashes, introduced in Chapter 2, between West Egg and New York City consists of a long stretch of forsaken land created by the dumping of industrial ashes. It represents the moral and social decay that results from the uninhibited pursuit of money, as the rich partake in selfish activities with regard for nothing or no one but their own pleasure. The valley of ashes also symbolizes the plight of the poor. George Wilson, for example, lives among the dirty ashes and loses his vivaciousness as a result.
The Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are a pair of fading, glasses wearing eyes painted on an old advertising billboard over the valley of ashes. The eyes may represent a god like figure staring down upon American society and judging it as a moral wasteland. In that sense Eckleburgs eyes could also act as if they are keeping watch over the filth and waste. The connection between the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg as a god like figure is only mentioned in George Wilson’s sullen mind. This lack of significant importance contributes to the eerie nature of the image. Therefore, the eyes also come to represent the essential meaninglessness of the world and the need in which people must connect objects with a certain meaning. In Chapter 8, Nick comes to terms with this idea when he imagines what Gatsby might have thought right before he died and comes to a depressing realization of the pointlessness of symbols and dreams.
"But above the gray land and the spasms of bleak dust which drift endlessly over it, you perceive, after a moment, the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg. The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are blue and gigantic—their irises are one yard high. They look out of no face, but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a nonexistent nose. Evidently some wild wag of an oculist set them there to fatten his practice in the borough of Queens, and then sank down himself into eternal blindness, or forgot them and moved away. But his eyes, dimmed a little by many paintless days, under sun and rain, brood on over the solemn dumping ground. "
Compare and contrast Gatsby's social class with that of Tom and Daisy Buchanan. How does geography contribute to the definition of social class in The Great Gatsby?Gatsby and Tom differ in social classes because Gatsby is seen as the “new” money while Tom on the other hand is seen as “old” money. In other words Gatsby is the new type of rich that evolves younger entrepreneurs and is looked down on by the “old” rich because they believe they are superior due to their classiness and superiority. Gatsby’s new rich persona is perceived by Tom as disrespectful because Gatsby’s party life and extravagance metaphorically slaps Tom in the face because of his unknown secretiveness and probably annoyance from the competitive character he displays. For instance Gatsby lives in East Egg which is more classy and home to many larger homes and is seen as nicer than West Egg. West Egg is where Tom lives and is less fashionable with large vacation homes for rent showing its decline in status making Tom more hostile towards Gatsby’s way of life.
Why did Nick become involved with Jordan, and why did he break off the relationship?
In reality, Nick was only dishonest in that he spent as much time with Jordan as he did. He knew from their first meeting what kind of girl she was and that their relationship could not last. He used her for excitement just as she used him for a different experience. That's the only way though that Nick and Jordan are alike. Jordan is like Daisy and Tom; a careless person who goes through her life using people to her advantage and then moving on. She likes Nick because he pays attention to her. In reality, Nick was only dishonest in that he spent as much time with Jordan as he did. He knew from their first meeting what kind of girl she was and that their relationship could not last. He used her for excitement just as she used him for a different experience. That's the only way though that Nick and Jordan are alike.
The Jazz AgeThe Jazz Age was a term coined by Fitzgerald himself and his novel illustrates this period in American History beautifully. With a booming economy and the commencement of the war to end all wars what were Americans to do but celebrate? Old fashioned values like the ones Nick brings in from the middle west are being abandoned for the fast paced life of an east coast socialite or a flapper just looking for a good time. The 18th amendment made alcohol illegal but this did nothing to slow down the liberated generation of the 1920s. Speakeasies dominated the club scene where young men and women could go and drink in the secrecy of restaurant basements. The 19th amendment made women equal to their male counterparts in the eyes of the law and they began to express themselves in that manner.
All of these factors are summed by Jay Gatsby’s unmatched lavishness and luxuriousness. Gatsby’s parties are the epitome of Jazz Age shenanigans. Fitzgerald does not come up short with his snapshot of this unique period in American history.
What made Gatsby Great?An obvious answer would be that Gatsby is “great” for his extravagance and wealth, his fame and mystery. Gatsby, however, is “great” for something much less tangible than a Rolls Royce and a West Egg mansion. Gatsby’s devotion and perseverance towards obtaining Daisy’s affection makes him more than just “great”. When Gatsby was a young man he met a girl whom he could never hope to match in both beauty and undying intrigue. She came from a family of wealth and Gatsby knew he must obtain such assets to even begin to woo her once again. His work ethic to get her attention was truly “great.” Whether it was the persistent stalking through the papers or his lavish parties that seemed to neither begin nor end, he was always working to become closer to Daisy. When finally his golden opportunity to meet Daisy, Nick, moved in next door he took his opportunity. His ability to captivate Daisy in such a short period of time was nothing short of magnificent. Men should envy Gatsby’s swagger around Daisy, he was able to bring a cool and composed woman to tears within just hours of reuniting with her. Gatsby’s passion and vigor brought out by Daisy is truly “great.”
1. What is the American Dream? How does Gatsby represent this dream? Does the novel praise or condemn Gatsby's dream? Has the American dream changed since Gatsby's time?
It seems as if the “American Dream” has been a reoccurring theme in this semesters lesson plan. Maybe it is the fact that you are trying to get us to find ourselves before we are shipped off to college. Maybe you are trying to get across the point that the “American Dream” is an unobtainable image as it differs through the eyes of every person, or maybe I am just over thinking this and the “American Dream” is simply a robotic lesson plan spit out by some exquisite literature genius who was given the task of compiling the curriculum for all American Literature classes.
Regardless of the importance of the “American Dream” in this class it is still a pressing issue. James Truslow Adams coined the term “American Dream” in his book Epic of America. In his book Adams states that, “The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement...It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position”. By this Adams is saying that the “American Dream” is a successful life based on ones hard work and prosperity along with recognition for their hard work.
In my opinion the “American Dream” differs for every person because in America, where our ALMOST purely capitalistic economy combined with our unique form of democracy, anything is possible. For me the “American Dream” is to become successful and work in a field in which I enjoy working. As for most of the population it is safe to say that becoming rich, powerful, and famous is all part of their “American Dream”. Gatsby is the epitome of this stereotypical American dreamer. He is very rich, highly recognized (to both men and women) and holds an authoritative personality which empowers him to manipulate people. For example on page 67 in The Great Gatsby, Gatsby manipulates Nick by telling him that he will find out what happened to him at tea with Jordan. Gatsby had taken what was supposed to be a date and turned it into a discussion about him in order to keep his name floating around the city and to know that he was always being talked about.
Although Gatsby is seen as a successful man, he represents the decline of the American dream of the early 1900’s as it fell from men trying to obtain valor and noble goals to ungoverned need for money and empty pursuit of pleasure. Fitzgerald uses Gatsby to show that the unmoralized goals of these people ultimately led to destruction. Nowadays I feel as though the “American Dream” has shifted for the better. People are making more unselfish goals. Don’t get me wrong the “live for me and only me” American dreamers have not died out it’s just that more organizations have popped up that are looking to better the community and people who do succeed are giving back. For example Bill Gates is using his resources to get computers into underprivileged school districts and the Red Cross Foundation looks to aid when countries are in need.
8. Discuss Fitzgerald's use of symbols, such as the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg, the green light on Daisy's dock, and the valley of ashes
The Valley of Ashes
The valley of ashes, introduced in Chapter 2, between West Egg and New York City consists of a long stretch of forsaken land created by the dumping of industrial ashes. It represents the moral and social decay that results from the uninhibited pursuit of money, as the rich partake in selfish activities with regard for nothing or no one but their own pleasure. The valley of ashes also symbolizes the plight of the poor. George Wilson, for example, lives among the dirty ashes and loses his vivaciousness as a result.
The Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg
The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are a pair of fading, glasses wearing eyes painted on an old advertising billboard over the valley of ashes. The eyes may represent a god like figure staring down upon American society and judging it as a moral wasteland. In that sense Eckleburgs eyes could also act as if they are keeping watch over the filth and waste. The connection between the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg as a god like figure is only mentioned in George Wilson’s sullen mind. This lack of significant importance contributes to the eerie nature of the image. Therefore, the eyes also come to represent the essential meaninglessness of the world and the need in which people must connect objects with a certain meaning. In Chapter 8, Nick comes to terms with this idea when he imagines what Gatsby might have thought right before he died and comes to a depressing realization of the pointlessness of symbols and dreams.
Works Cited
"Re: The Great Gatsby Group." Web Log comment. Web. 18 Mar. 2010. <http://www.enotes.com/great-gatsby/q-and-a/please-compare-contrast-jordan-baker-nicks-girl-73475>.
Photograph. Web. 18 Mar. 2010. <http://www.rsjo.com/gatsby2005.jpg>.
Picture "American Dream." Rose's Weblog. Web. 19 Mar 2010. <http://keokierra.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/check-out-of-american-dream1.jpg>.
"American Dream." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 18 Mar 2010. Web. 19 Mar 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Dream>.
"T.J. Eckleburg." DeviantArt. Web. 19 Mar 2010. <http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http:www.deviantart.com/download/126767633/Doctor_TJEckleburg_by_sukimd.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/126767633/&usg=__gQp30qhO3LpIRtm_9I-zEr3tfq8=&h=603&w=389&sz=35&hl=en&start=1&sig2=jxE_gNDWVptIEqt1qBulnQ&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=k64VpLY4qYuYuM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=87&prev=/images%3Fq%3Deyes%2Bof%2Bdoctor%2Bt.j.%2Beckleburg%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Den%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=ABKjS7raOZTetAOr38S6Aw>.
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby//. New York: Scribner, 2004. Print.
Photograph. Web. 18 Mar. 2010. http://www.pamelasmusic.co.uk/pages/lucas/Albert%20Kerseys%20Solo%20Band.JPG